Labeling detected objects in frames of a video

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the disclosure include methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums for video encoding/decoding. An apparatus includes processing circuitry that receives metadata associated with a coded video bitstream. The metadata includes labeling information of one or more objects detected in a first picture that is coded in the coded video bitstream. The processing circuitry decodes the labeling information of the one or more objects in the first picture that is coded in the coded video bitstream. The processing circuitry applies the labeling information to the one or more objects in the first picture.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/459,753, “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VIDEO CODING” filed on Aug. 27,2021, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 63/135,530, “SIGNALING OF OBJECTS FOR MACHINE TASKS,”filed on Jan. 8, 2021, which are incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure describes embodiments generally related to videocoding.

BACKGROUND

The background description provided herein is for the purpose ofgenerally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of thepresently named inventors, to the extent the work is described in thisbackground section, as well as aspects of the description that may nototherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neitherexpressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the presentdisclosure.

Video coding and decoding can be performed using inter-pictureprediction with motion compensation. Uncompressed digital video caninclude a series of pictures, each picture having a spatial dimensionof, for example, 1920×1080 luminance samples and associated chrominancesamples. The series of pictures can have a fixed or variable picturerate (informally also known as frame rate) of, for example, 60 picturesper second or 60 Hz. Uncompressed video has significant bitraterequirements. For example, 1080p60 4:2:0 video at 8 bit per sample(1920×1080 luminance sample resolution at 60 Hz frame rate) requiresclose to 1.5 Gbit/s bandwidth. An hour of such video requires more than600 GBytes of storage space.

One purpose of video coding and decoding can be the reduction ofredundancy in the input video signal, through compression. Compressioncan help reduce the aforementioned bandwidth or storage spacerequirements, in some cases by two orders of magnitude or more. Bothlossless and lossy compression, as well as a combination thereof can beemployed. Lossless compression refers to techniques where an exact copyof the original signal can be reconstructed from the compressed originalsignal. When using lossy compression, the reconstructed signal may notbe identical to the original signal, but the distortion between originaland reconstructed signals is small enough to make the reconstructedsignal useful for the intended application. In the case of video, lossycompression is widely employed. The amount of distortion tolerateddepends on the application; for example, users of certain consumerstreaming applications may tolerate higher distortion than users oftelevision distribution applications. The compression ratio achievablecan reflect that: higher allowable/tolerable distortion can yield highercompression ratios.

A video encoder and decoder can utilize techniques from several broadcategories, including, for example, motion compensation, transform,quantization, and entropy coding.

Video codec technologies can include techniques known as intra coding.In intra coding, sample values are represented without reference tosamples or other data from previously reconstructed reference pictures.In some video codecs, the picture is spatially subdivided into blocks ofsamples. When all blocks of samples are coded in intra mode, thatpicture can be an intra picture. Intra pictures and their derivationssuch as independent decoder refresh pictures, can be used to reset thedecoder state and can, therefore, be used as the first picture in acoded video bitstream and a video session, or as a still image. Thesamples of an intra block can be exposed to a transform, and thetransform coefficients can be quantized before entropy coding. Intraprediction can be a technique that minimizes sample values in thepre-transform domain. In some cases, the smaller the DC value after atransform is, and the smaller the AC coefficients are, the fewer thebits that are required at a given quantization step size to representthe block after entropy coding.

Traditional intra coding such as known from, for example MPEG-2generation coding technologies, does not use intra prediction. However,some newer video compression technologies include techniques thatattempt, from, for example, surrounding sample data and/or metadataobtained during the encoding and/or decoding of spatially neighboring,and preceding in decoding order, blocks of data. Such techniques arehenceforth called “intra prediction” techniques. Note that in at leastsome cases, intra prediction is only using reference data from thecurrent picture under reconstruction and not from reference pictures.

There can be many different forms of intra prediction. When more thanone of such techniques can be used in a given video coding technology,the technique in use can be coded in an intra prediction mode. Incertain cases, modes can have submodes and/or parameters, and those canbe coded individually or included in the mode codeword. Which codewordto use for a given mode, submode, and/or parameter combination can havean impact in the coding efficiency gain through intra prediction, and socan the entropy coding technology used to translate the codewords into abitstream.

A certain mode of intra prediction was introduced with H.264, refined inH.265, and further refined in newer coding technologies such as jointexploration model (JEM), versatile video coding (VVC), and benchmark set(BMS). A predictor block can be formed using neighboring sample valuesbelonging to already available samples. Sample values of neighboringsamples are copied into the predictor block according to a direction. Areference to the direction in use can be coded in the bitstream or maybe predicted itself.

Referring to FIG. 1A, depicted in the lower right is a subset of ninepredictor directions known from H.265's 33 possible predictor directions(corresponding to the 33 angular modes of the 35 intra modes). The pointwhere the arrows converge (101) represents the sample being predicted.The arrows represent the direction from which the sample is beingpredicted. For example, arrow (102) indicates that sample (101) ispredicted from a sample or samples to the upper right, at a 45 degreeangle from the horizontal. Similarly, arrow (103) indicates that sample(101) is predicted from a sample or samples to the lower left of sample(101), in a 22.5 degree angle from the horizontal.

Still referring to FIG. 1A, on the top left there is depicted a squareblock (104) of 4×4 samples (indicated by a dashed, boldface line). Thesquare block (104) includes 16 samples, each labelled with an “S”, itsposition in the Y dimension (e.g., row index) and its position in the Xdimension (e.g., column index). For example, sample S21 is the secondsample in the Y dimension (from the top) and the first (from the left)sample in the X dimension. Similarly, sample S44 is the fourth sample inblock (104) in both the Y and X dimensions. As the block is 4×4 samplesin size, S44 is at the bottom right. Further shown are reference samplesthat follow a similar numbering scheme. A reference sample is labelledwith an R, its Y position (e.g., row index) and X position (columnindex) relative to block (104). In both H.264 and H.265, predictionsamples neighbor the block under reconstruction; therefore no negativevalues need to be used.

Intra picture prediction can work by copying reference sample valuesfrom the neighboring samples as appropriated by the signaled predictiondirection. For example, assume the coded video bitstream includessignaling that, for this block, indicates a prediction directionconsistent with arrow (102)—that is, samples are predicted from aprediction sample or samples to the upper right, at a 45 degree anglefrom the horizontal. In that case, samples S41, S32, S23, and S14 arepredicted from the same reference sample R05. Sample S44 is thenpredicted from reference sample R08.

In certain cases, the values of multiple reference samples may becombined, for example through interpolation, in order to calculate areference sample; especially when the directions are not evenlydivisible by 45 degrees.

The number of possible directions has increased as video codingtechnology has developed. In H.264 (year 2003), nine different directioncould be represented. That increased to 33 in H.265 (year 2013), andJEM/VVC/BMS, at the time of disclosure, can support up to 65 directions.Experiments have been conducted to identify the most likely directions,and certain techniques in the entropy coding are used to represent thoselikely directions in a small number of bits, accepting a certain penaltyfor less likely directions. Further, the directions themselves cansometimes be predicted from neighboring directions used in neighboring,already decoded, blocks.

FIG. 1B shows a schematic (105) that depicts 65 intra predictiondirections according to JEM to illustrate the increasing number ofprediction directions over time.

The mapping of intra prediction directions bits in the coded videobitstream that represent the direction can be different from videocoding technology to video coding technology; and can range, forexample, from simple direct mappings of prediction direction to intraprediction mode, to codewords, to complex adaptive schemes involvingmost probable modes, and similar techniques. In all cases, however,there can be certain directions that are statistically less likely tooccur in video content than certain other directions. As the goal ofvideo compression is the reduction of redundancy, those less likelydirections will, in a well working video coding technology, berepresented by a larger number of bits than more likely directions.

Motion compensation can be a lossy compression technique and can relateto techniques where a block of sample data from a previouslyreconstructed picture or part thereof (reference picture), after beingspatially shifted in a direction indicated by a motion vector (MVhenceforth), is used for the prediction of a newly reconstructed pictureor picture part. In some cases, the reference picture can be the same asthe picture currently under reconstruction. MVs can have two dimensionsX and Y, or three dimensions, the third being an indication of thereference picture in use (the latter, indirectly, can be a timedimension).

In some video compression techniques, an MV applicable to a certain areaof sample data can be predicted from other MVs, for example from thoserelated to another area of sample data spatially adjacent to the areaunder reconstruction, and preceding that MV in decoding order. Doing socan substantially reduce the amount of data required for coding the MV,thereby removing redundancy and increasing compression. MV predictioncan work effectively, for example, because when coding an input videosignal derived from a camera (known as natural video) there is astatistical likelihood that areas larger than the area to which a singleMV is applicable move in a similar direction and, therefore, can in somecases be predicted using a similar MV derived from MVs of a neighboringarea. That results in the MV found for a given area to be similar or thesame as the MV predicted from the surrounding MVs, and that in turn canbe represented, after entropy coding, in a smaller number of bits thanwhat would be used if coding the MV directly. In some cases, MVprediction can be an example of lossless compression of a signal(namely: the MVs) derived from the original signal (namely: the samplestream). In other cases, MV prediction itself can be lossy, for examplebecause of rounding errors when calculating a predictor from severalsurrounding MVs.

Various MV prediction mechanisms are described in H.265/HEVC (ITU-T Rec.H.265, “High Efficiency Video Coding”, December 2016). Out of the manyMV prediction mechanisms that H.265 offers, described herein is atechnique henceforth referred to as “spatial merge.”

Referring to FIG. 1C, a current block (111) can include samples thathave been found by the encoder during the motion search process to bepredictable from a previous block of the same size that has beenspatially shifted. Instead of coding that MV directly, the MV can bederived from metadata associated with one or more reference pictures,for example from the most recent (in decoding order) reference picture,using the MV associated with either one of five surrounding samples,denoted A0, A1, and B0, B1, B2 (112 through 116, respectively). InH.265, the MV prediction can use predictors from the same referencepicture that the neighboring block is using.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure provide apparatuses for videoencoding/decoding. An apparatus includes processing circuitry thatreceives metadata associated with a coded video bitstream. The metadataincludes labeling information of one or more objects detected in a firstpicture that is coded in the coded video bitstream. The processingcircuitry decodes the labeling information of the one or more objects inthe first picture that is coded in the coded video bitstream. Theprocessing circuitry applies the labeling information to the one or moreobjects in the first picture.

In one embodiment, the metadata is included in a supplementaryenhancement information (SEI) message in the coded video bitstream.

In one embodiment, the metadata is included in a file that is separatefrom the coded video bitstream.

In one embodiment, the labeling information indicates a total number ofbounding boxes in the first picture and includes location informationand size information of each bounding box, each bounding box beingassociated with one of the one or more objects in the first picture.

In one embodiment, the labeling information includes categoryinformation that indicates a category for each of the one or moreobjects.

In one embodiment, the labeling information includes identificationinformation that identifies each of the one or more objects in a videosequence.

In one embodiment, the location information of one of the bounding boxesincludes a location offset of the one of the bounding boxes between thefirst picture and a second picture that is coded in the video bitstream.

In one embodiment, the location information of one of the bounding boxesindicates a location outside the first picture for the one of thebounding boxes based on an object associated with the one of thebounding boxes not existing in the first picture.

In one embodiment, the processing circuitry sends a request to receivethe metadata associated with the coded video bitstream.

Aspects of the disclosure provide methods for video encoding/decoding.The methods can perform any one or a combination of the processesperformed by the apparatuses for video encoding/decoding. In the method,metadata associated with a coded video bitstream is received. Themetadata includes labeling information of one or more objects detectedin a first picture that is coded in the coded video bitstream. Thelabeling information of the one or more objects in the first picturethat is coded in the coded video bitstream is decoded. The labelinginformation is applied to the one or more objects in the first picture.

Aspects of the disclosure also provide non-transitory computer-readablemediums storing instructions which when executed by at least oneprocessor cause the at least one processor to perform any one or acombination of the methods for video encoding/decoding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, the nature, and various advantages of the disclosedsubject matter will be more apparent from the following detaileddescription and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of an exemplary subset of intraprediction modes;

FIG. 1B is an illustration of exemplary intra prediction directions;

FIG. 1C is a schematic illustration of a current block and itssurrounding spatial merge candidates in one example;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a simplified block diagram of acommunication system in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a simplified block diagram of acommunication system in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a simplified block diagram of adecoder in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a simplified block diagram of anencoder in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of an encoder in accordance with anotherembodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a decoder in accordance with anotherembodiment;

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary architecture used in video coding for machine(VCM) in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary encoder used in versatile video coding (VVC)in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary flowchart in accordance with an embodiment;and

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a computer system in accordancewith an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

I. Video Decoder and Encoder Systems

FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a communication system(200) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thecommunication system (200) includes a plurality of terminal devices thatcan communicate with each other, via, for example, a network (250). Forexample, the communication system (200) includes a first pair ofterminal devices (210) and (220) interconnected via the network (250).In the FIG. 2 example, the first pair of terminal devices (210) and(220) performs unidirectional transmission of data. For example, theterminal device (210) may code video data (e.g., a stream of videopictures that are captured by the terminal device (210)) fortransmission to the other terminal device (220) via the network (250).The encoded video data can be transmitted in the form of one or morecoded video bitstreams. The terminal device (220) may receive the codedvideo data from the network (250), decode the coded video data torecover the video pictures and display video pictures according to therecovered video data. Unidirectional data transmission may be common inmedia serving applications and the like.

In another example, the communication system (200) includes a secondpair of terminal devices (230) and (240) that performs bidirectionaltransmission of coded video data that may occur, for example, duringvideoconferencing. For bidirectional transmission of data, in anexample, each terminal device of the terminal devices (230) and (240)may code video data (e.g., a stream of video pictures that are capturedby the terminal device) for transmission to the other terminal device ofthe terminal devices (230) and (240) via the network (250). Eachterminal device of the terminal devices (230) and (240) also may receivethe coded video data transmitted by the other terminal device of theterminal devices (230) and (240), and may decode the coded video data torecover the video pictures and may display video pictures at anaccessible display device according to the recovered video data.

In the FIG. 2 example, the terminal devices (210), (220), (230) and(240) may be illustrated as servers, personal computers and smart phonesbut the principles of the present disclosure may be not so limited.Embodiments of the present disclosure find application with laptopcomputers, tablet computers, media players and/or dedicated videoconferencing equipment. The network (250) represents any number ofnetworks that convey coded video data among the terminal devices (210),(220), (230) and (240), including for example wireline (wired) and/orwireless communication networks. The communication network (250) mayexchange data in circuit-switched and/or packet-switched channels.Representative networks include telecommunications networks, local areanetworks, wide area networks and/or the Internet. For the purposes ofthe present discussion, the architecture and topology of the network(250) may be immaterial to the operation of the present disclosureunless explained herein below.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as an example for an application for the disclosedsubject matter, the placement of a video encoder and a video decoder ina streaming environment. The disclosed subject matter can be equallyapplicable to other video enabled applications, including, for example,video conferencing, digital TV, storing of compressed video on digitalmedia including CD, DVD, memory stick, and the like.

A streaming system may include a capture subsystem (313) that caninclude a video source (301), for example a digital camera, creating forexample a stream of video pictures (302) that are uncompressed. In anexample, the stream of video pictures (302) includes samples that aretaken by the digital camera. The stream of video pictures (302),depicted as a bold line to emphasize a high data volume when compared toencoded video data (304) (or coded video bitstreams), can be processedby an electronic device (320) that includes a video encoder (303)coupled to the video source (301). The video encoder (303) can includehardware, software, or a combination thereof to enable or implementaspects of the disclosed subject matter as described in more detailbelow. The encoded video data (304) (or encoded video bitstream (304)),depicted as a thin line to emphasize the lower data volume when comparedto the stream of video pictures (302), can be stored on a streamingserver (305) for future use. One or more streaming client subsystems,such as client subsystems (306) and (308) in FIG. 3 can access thestreaming server (305) to retrieve copies (307) and (309) of the encodedvideo data (304). A client subsystem (306) can include a video decoder(310), for example, in an electronic device (330). The video decoder(310) decodes the incoming copy (307) of the encoded video data andcreates an outgoing stream of video pictures (311) that can be renderedon a display (312) (e.g., display screen) or other rendering device (notdepicted). In some streaming systems, the encoded video data (304),(307), and (309) (e.g., video bitstreams) can be encoded according tocertain video coding/compression standards. Examples of those standardsinclude ITU-T Recommendation H.265. In an example, a video codingstandard under development is informally known as Versatile Video Coding(VVC). The disclosed subject matter may be used in the context of VVC.

It is noted that the electronic devices (320) and (330) can includeother components (not shown). For example, the electronic device (320)can include a video decoder (not shown) and the electronic device (330)can include a video encoder (not shown) as well.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a video decoder (410) according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. The video decoder (410) can beincluded in an electronic device (430). The electronic device (430) caninclude a receiver (431) (e.g., receiving circuitry). The video decoder(410) can be used in the place of the video decoder (310) in the FIG. 3example.

The receiver (431) may receive one or more coded video sequences to bedecoded by the video decoder (410); in the same or another embodiment,one coded video sequence at a time, where the decoding of each codedvideo sequence is independent from other coded video sequences. Thecoded video sequence may be received from a channel (401), which may bea hardware/software link to a storage device which stores the encodedvideo data. The receiver (431) may receive the encoded video data withother data, for example, coded audio data and/or ancillary data streams,that may be forwarded to their respective using entities (not depicted).The receiver (431) may separate the coded video sequence from the otherdata. To combat network jitter, a buffer memory (415) may be coupled inbetween the receiver (431) and an entropy decoder/parser (420) (“parser(420)” henceforth). In certain applications, the buffer memory (415) ispart of the video decoder (410). In others, it can be outside of thevideo decoder (410) (not depicted). In still others, there can be abuffer memory (not depicted) outside of the video decoder (410), forexample to combat network jitter, and in addition another buffer memory(415) inside the video decoder (410), for example to handle playouttiming. When the receiver (431) is receiving data from a store/forwarddevice of sufficient bandwidth and controllability, or from anisosynchronous network, the buffer memory (415) may not be needed, orcan be small. For use on best effort packet networks such as theInternet, the buffer memory (415) may be required, can be comparativelylarge and can be advantageously of adaptive size, and may at leastpartially be implemented in an operating system or similar elements (notdepicted) outside of the video decoder (410).

The video decoder (410) may include the parser (420) to reconstructsymbols (421) from the coded video sequence. Categories of those symbolsinclude information used to manage operation of the video decoder (410),and potentially information to control a rendering device such as arender device (412) (e.g., a display screen) that is not an integralpart of the electronic device (430) but can be coupled to the electronicdevice (430), as was shown in FIG. 4 . The control information for therendering device(s) may be in the form of Supplemental EnhancementInformation (SEI messages) or Video Usability Information (VUI)parameter set fragments (not depicted). The parser (420) mayparse/entropy-decode the coded video sequence that is received. Thecoding of the coded video sequence can be in accordance with a videocoding technology or standard, and can follow various principles,including variable length coding, Huffman coding, arithmetic coding withor without context sensitivity, and so forth. The parser (420) mayextract from the coded video sequence, a set of subgroup parameters forat least one of the subgroups of pixels in the video decoder, based uponat least one parameter corresponding to the group. Subgroups can includeGroups of Pictures (GOPs), pictures, tiles, slices, macroblocks, CodingUnits (CUs), blocks, Transform Units (TUs), Prediction Units (PUs) andso forth. The parser (420) may also extract from the coded videosequence information such as transform coefficients, quantizer parametervalues, MVs, and so forth.

The parser (420) may perform an entropy decoding/parsing operation onthe video sequence received from the buffer memory (415), so as tocreate symbols (421).

Reconstruction of the symbols (421) can involve multiple different unitsdepending on the type of the coded video picture or parts thereof (suchas: inter and intra picture, inter and intra block), and other factors.Which units are involved, and how, can be controlled by the subgroupcontrol information that was parsed from the coded video sequence by theparser (420). The flow of such subgroup control information between theparser (420) and the multiple units below is not depicted for clarity.

Beyond the functional blocks already mentioned, the video decoder (410)can be conceptually subdivided into a number of functional units asdescribed below. In a practical implementation operating undercommercial constraints, many of these units interact closely with eachother and can, at least partly, be integrated into each other. However,for the purpose of describing the disclosed subject matter, theconceptual subdivision into the functional units below is appropriate.

A first unit is the scaler/inverse transform unit (451). Thescaler/inverse transform unit (451) receives a quantized transformcoefficient as well as control information, including which transform touse, block size, quantization factor, quantization scaling matrices,etc. as symbol(s) (421) from the parser (420). The scaler/inversetransform unit (451) can output blocks comprising sample values that canbe input into aggregator (455).

In some cases, the output samples of the scaler/inverse transform (451)can pertain to an intra coded block; that is: a block that is not usingpredictive information from previously reconstructed pictures, but canuse predictive information from previously reconstructed parts of thecurrent picture. Such predictive information can be provided by an intrapicture prediction unit (452). In some cases, the intra pictureprediction unit (452) generates a block of the same size and shape ofthe block under reconstruction, using surrounding already reconstructedinformation fetched from the current picture buffer (458). The currentpicture buffer (458) buffers, for example, partly reconstructed currentpicture and/or fully reconstructed current picture. The aggregator(455), in some cases, adds, on a per sample basis, the predictioninformation that the intra prediction unit (452) has generated to theoutput sample information as provided by the scaler/inverse transformunit (451).

In other cases, the output samples of the scaler/inverse transform unit(451) can pertain to an inter coded, and potentially motion compensatedblock. In such a case, a motion compensation prediction unit (453) canaccess reference picture memory (457) to fetch samples used forprediction. After motion compensating the fetched samples in accordancewith the symbols (421) pertaining to the block, these samples can beadded by the aggregator (455) to the output of the scaler/inversetransform unit (451) (in this case called the residual samples orresidual signal) so as to generate output sample information. Theaddresses within the reference picture memory (457) from where themotion compensation prediction unit (453) fetches prediction samples canbe controlled by MVs, available to the motion compensation predictionunit (453) in the form of symbols (421) that can have, for example X, Y,and reference picture components. Motion compensation also can includeinterpolation of sample values as fetched from the reference picturememory (457) when sub-sample exact MVs are in use, MV predictionmechanisms, and so forth.

The output samples of the aggregator (455) can be subject to variousloop filtering techniques in the loop filter unit (456). Videocompression technologies can include in-loop filter technologies thatare controlled by parameters included in the coded video sequence (alsoreferred to as coded video bitstream) and made available to the loopfilter unit (456) as symbols (421) from the parser (420), but can alsobe responsive to meta-information obtained during the decoding ofprevious (in decoding order) parts of the coded picture or coded videosequence, as well as responsive to previously reconstructed andloop-filtered sample values.

The output of the loop filter unit (456) can be a sample stream that canbe output to the render device (412) as well as stored in the referencepicture memory (457) for use in future inter-picture prediction.

Certain coded pictures, once fully reconstructed, can be used asreference pictures for future prediction. For example, once a codedpicture corresponding to a current picture is fully reconstructed andthe coded picture has been identified as a reference picture (by, forexample, the parser (420)), the current picture buffer (458) can becomea part of the reference picture memory (457), and a fresh currentpicture buffer can be reallocated before commencing the reconstructionof the following coded picture.

The video decoder (410) may perform decoding operations according to apredetermined video compression technology in a standard, such as ITU-TRec. H.265. The coded video sequence may conform to a syntax specifiedby the video compression technology or standard being used, in the sensethat the coded video sequence adheres to both the syntax of the videocompression technology or standard and the profiles as documented in thevideo compression technology or standard. Specifically, a profile canselect certain tools as the only tools available for use under thatprofile from all the tools available in the video compression technologyor standard. Also necessary for compliance can be that the complexity ofthe coded video sequence is within bounds as defined by the level of thevideo compression technology or standard. In some cases, levels restrictthe maximum picture size, maximum frame rate, maximum reconstructionsample rate (measured in, for example megasamples per second), maximumreference picture size, and so on. Limits set by levels can, in somecases, be further restricted through Hypothetical Reference Decoder(HRD) specifications and metadata for HRD buffer management signaled inthe coded video sequence.

In an embodiment, the receiver (431) may receive additional (redundant)data with the encoded video. The additional data may be included as partof the coded video sequence(s). The additional data may be used by thevideo decoder (410) to properly decode the data and/or to moreaccurately reconstruct the original video data. Additional data can bein the form of, for example, temporal, spatial, or signal noise ratio(SNR) enhancement layers, redundant slices, redundant pictures, forwarderror correction codes, and so on.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a video encoder (503) according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. The video encoder (503) isincluded in an electronic device (520). The electronic device (520)includes a transmitter (540) (e.g., transmitting circuitry). The videoencoder (503) can be used in the place of the video encoder (303) in theFIG. 3 example.

The video encoder (503) may receive video samples from a video source(501) (that is not part of the electronic device (520) in the FIG. 5example) that may capture video image(s) to be coded by the videoencoder (503). In another example, the video source (501) is a part ofthe electronic device (520).

The video source (501) may provide the source video sequence to be codedby the video encoder (503) in the form of a digital video sample streamthat can be of any suitable bit depth (for example: 8 bit, 10 bit, 12bit, . . . ), any colorspace (for example, BT.601 Y CrCB, RGB, . . . ),and any suitable sampling structure (for example Y CrCb 4:2:0, Y CrCb4:4:4). In a media serving system, the video source (501) may be astorage device storing previously prepared video. In a videoconferencingsystem, the video source (501) may be a camera that captures local imageinformation as a video sequence. Video data may be provided as aplurality of individual pictures that impart motion when viewed insequence. The pictures themselves may be organized as a spatial array ofpixels, wherein each pixel can comprise one or more samples depending onthe sampling structure, color space, etc. in use. A person skilled inthe art can readily understand the relationship between pixels andsamples. The description below focuses on samples.

According to an embodiment, the video encoder (503) may code andcompress the pictures of the source video sequence into a coded videosequence (543) in real time or under any other time constraints asrequired by the application. Enforcing appropriate coding speed is onefunction of a controller (550). In some embodiments, the controller(550) controls other functional units as described below and isfunctionally coupled to the other functional units. The coupling is notdepicted for clarity. Parameters set by the controller (550) can includerate control related parameters (picture skip, quantizer, lambda valueof rate-distortion optimization techniques, . . . ), picture size, groupof pictures (GOP) layout, maximum MV allowed reference area, and soforth. The controller (550) can be configured to have other suitablefunctions that pertain to the video encoder (503) optimized for acertain system design.

In some embodiments, the video encoder (503) is configured to operate ina coding loop. As an oversimplified description, in an example, thecoding loop can include a source coder (530) (e.g., responsible forcreating symbols, such as a symbol stream, based on an input picture tobe coded, and a reference picture(s)), and a (local) decoder (533)embedded in the video encoder (503). The decoder (533) reconstructs thesymbols to create the sample data in a similar manner as a (remote)decoder also would create (as any compression between symbols and codedvideo bitstream is lossless in the video compression technologiesconsidered in the disclosed subject matter). The reconstructed samplestream (sample data) is input to the reference picture memory (534). Asthe decoding of a symbol stream leads to bit-exact results independentof decoder location (local or remote), the content in the referencepicture memory (534) is also bit exact between the local encoder andremote encoder. In other words, the prediction part of an encoder “sees”as reference picture samples exactly the same sample values as a decoderwould “see” when using prediction during decoding. This fundamentalprinciple of reference picture synchronicity (and resulting drift, ifsynchronicity cannot be maintained, for example because of channelerrors) is used in some related arts as well.

The operation of the “local” decoder (533) can be the same as of a“remote” decoder, such as the video decoder (410), which has alreadybeen described in detail above in conjunction with FIG. 4 . Brieflyreferring also to FIG. 4 , however, as symbols are available andencoding/decoding of symbols to a coded video sequence by an entropycoder (545) and the parser (420) can be lossless, the entropy decodingparts of the video decoder (410), including the buffer memory (415) andthe parser (420) may not be fully implemented in the local decoder(533).

An observation that can be made at this point is that any decodertechnology except the parsing/entropy decoding that is present in adecoder also necessarily needs to be present, in substantially identicalfunctional form, in a corresponding encoder. For this reason, thedisclosed subject matter focuses on decoder operation. The descriptionof encoder technologies can be abbreviated as they are the inverse ofthe comprehensively described decoder technologies. Only in certainareas a more detail description is required and provided below.

During operation, in some examples, the source coder (530) may performmotion compensated predictive coding, which codes an input picturepredictively with reference to one or more previously-coded picture fromthe video sequence that were designated as “reference pictures”. In thismanner, the coding engine (532) codes differences between pixel blocksof an input picture and pixel blocks of reference picture(s) that may beselected as prediction reference(s) to the input picture.

The local video decoder (533) may decode coded video data of picturesthat may be designated as reference pictures, based on symbols createdby the source coder (530). Operations of the coding engine (532) mayadvantageously be lossy processes. When the coded video data may bedecoded at a video decoder (not shown in FIG. 5 ), the reconstructedvideo sequence typically may be a replica of the source video sequencewith some errors. The local video decoder (533) replicates decodingprocesses that may be performed by the video decoder on referencepictures and may cause reconstructed reference pictures to be stored inthe reference picture cache (534). In this manner, the video encoder(503) may store copies of reconstructed reference pictures locally thathave common content as the reconstructed reference pictures that will beobtained by a far-end video decoder (absent transmission errors).

The predictor (535) may perform prediction searches for the codingengine (532). That is, for a new picture to be coded, the predictor(535) may search the reference picture memory (534) for sample data (ascandidate reference pixel blocks) or certain metadata such as referencepicture MVs, block shapes, and so on, that may serve as an appropriateprediction reference for the new pictures. The predictor (535) mayoperate on a sample block-by-pixel block basis to find appropriateprediction references. In some cases, as determined by search resultsobtained by the predictor (535), an input picture may have predictionreferences drawn from multiple reference pictures stored in thereference picture memory (534).

The controller (550) may manage coding operations of the source coder(530), including, for example, setting of parameters and subgroupparameters used for encoding the video data.

Output of all aforementioned functional units may be subjected toentropy coding in the entropy coder (545). The entropy coder (545)translates the symbols as generated by the various functional units intoa coded video sequence, by lossless compressing the symbols according totechnologies such as Huffman coding, variable length coding, arithmeticcoding, and so forth.

The transmitter (540) may buffer the coded video sequence(s) as createdby the entropy coder (545) to prepare for transmission via acommunication channel (560), which may be a hardware/software link to astorage device which would store the encoded video data. The transmitter(540) may merge coded video data from the video coder (503) with otherdata to be transmitted, for example, coded audio data and/or ancillarydata streams (sources not shown).

The controller (550) may manage operation of the video encoder (503).During coding, the controller (550) may assign to each coded picture acertain coded picture type, which may affect the coding techniques thatmay be applied to the respective picture. For example, pictures oftenmay be assigned as one of the following picture types:

An Intra Picture (I picture) may be one that may be coded and decodedwithout using any other picture in the sequence as a source ofprediction. Some video codecs allow for different types of intrapictures, including, for example Independent Decoder Refresh (“IDR”)Pictures. A person skilled in the art is aware of those variants of Ipictures and their respective applications and features.

A predictive picture (P picture) may be one that may be coded anddecoded using intra prediction or inter prediction using at most one MVand reference index to predict the sample values of each block.

A bi-directionally predictive picture (B Picture) may be one that may becoded and decoded using intra prediction or inter prediction using atmost two MVs and reference indices to predict the sample values of eachblock. Similarly, multiple-predictive pictures can use more than tworeference pictures and associated metadata for the reconstruction of asingle block.

Source pictures commonly may be subdivided spatially into a plurality ofsample blocks (for example, blocks of 4×4, 8×8, 4×8, or 16×16 sampleseach) and coded on a block-by-block basis. Blocks may be codedpredictively with reference to other (already coded) blocks asdetermined by the coding assignment applied to the blocks' respectivepictures. For example, blocks of I pictures may be codednon-predictively or they may be coded predictively with reference toalready coded blocks of the same picture (spatial prediction or intraprediction). Pixel blocks of P pictures may be coded predictively, viaspatial prediction or via temporal prediction with reference to onepreviously coded reference picture. Blocks of B pictures may be codedpredictively, via spatial prediction or via temporal prediction withreference to one or two previously coded reference pictures.

The video encoder (503) may perform coding operations according to apredetermined video coding technology or standard, such as ITU-T Rec.H.265. In its operation, the video encoder (503) may perform variouscompression operations, including predictive coding operations thatexploit temporal and spatial redundancies in the input video sequence.The coded video data, therefore, may conform to a syntax specified bythe video coding technology or standard being used.

In an embodiment, the transmitter (540) may transmit additional datawith the encoded video. The source coder (530) may include such data aspart of the coded video sequence. Additional data may comprisetemporal/spatial/SNR enhancement layers, other forms of redundant datasuch as redundant pictures and slices, SEI messages, VUI parameter setfragments, and so on.

A video may be captured as a plurality of source pictures (videopictures) in a temporal sequence. Intra-picture prediction (oftenabbreviated to intra prediction) makes use of spatial correlation in agiven picture, and inter-picture prediction makes uses of the (temporalor other) correlation between the pictures. In an example, a specificpicture under encoding/decoding, which is referred to as a currentpicture, is partitioned into blocks. When a block in the current pictureis similar to a reference block in a previously coded and still bufferedreference picture in the video, the block in the current picture can becoded by a vector that is referred to as a MV. The MV points to thereference block in the reference picture, and can have a third dimensionidentifying the reference picture, in case multiple reference picturesare in use.

In some embodiments, a bi-prediction technique can be used in theinter-picture prediction. According to the bi-prediction technique, tworeference pictures, such as a first reference picture and a secondreference picture that are both prior in decoding order to the currentpicture in the video (but may be in the past and future, respectively,in display order) are used. A block in the current picture can be codedby a first MV that points to a first reference block in the firstreference picture, and a second MV that points to a second referenceblock in the second reference picture. The block can be predicted by acombination of the first reference block and the second reference block.

Further, a merge mode technique can be used in the inter-pictureprediction to improve coding efficiency.

According to some embodiments of the disclosure, predictions, such asinter-picture predictions and intra-picture predictions are performed inthe unit of blocks. For example, according to the HEVC standard, apicture in a sequence of video pictures is partitioned into coding treeunits (CTU) for compression, the CTUs in a picture have the same size,such as 64×64 pixels, 32×32 pixels, or 16×16 pixels. In general, a CTUincludes three coding tree blocks (CTBs), which are one luma CTB and twochroma CTBs. Each CTU can be recursively quad-tree split into one ormultiple coding units (CUs). For example, a CTU of 64×64 pixels can besplit into one CU of 64×64 pixels, or 4 CUs of 32×32 pixels, or 16 CUsof 16×16 pixels. In an example, each CU is analyzed to determine aprediction type for the CU, such as an inter prediction type or an intraprediction type. The CU is split into one or more prediction units (PUs)depending on the temporal and/or spatial predictability. Generally, eachPU includes a luma prediction block (PB), and two chroma PB s. In anembodiment, a prediction operation in coding (encoding/decoding) isperformed in the unit of a prediction block. Using a luma predictionblock as an example of a prediction block, the prediction block includesa matrix of values (e.g., luma values) for pixels, such as 8×8 pixels,16×16 pixels, 8×16 pixels, 16×8 pixels, and the like.

FIG. 6 shows a diagram of a video encoder (603) according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure. The video encoder (603) is configured toreceive a processing block (e.g., a prediction block) of sample valueswithin a current video picture in a sequence of video pictures, andencode the processing block into a coded picture that is part of a codedvideo sequence. In an example, the video encoder (603) is used in theplace of the video encoder (303) in the FIG. 3 example.

In an HEVC example, the video encoder (603) receives a matrix of samplevalues for a processing block, such as a prediction block of 8×8samples, and the like. The video encoder (603) determines whether theprocessing block is best coded using intra mode, inter mode, orbi-prediction mode using, for example, rate-distortion optimization.When the processing block is to be coded in intra mode, the videoencoder (603) may use an intra prediction technique to encode theprocessing block into the coded picture; and when the processing blockis to be coded in inter mode or bi-prediction mode, the video encoder(603) may use an inter prediction or bi-prediction technique,respectively, to encode the processing block into the coded picture. Incertain video coding technologies, merge mode can be an inter pictureprediction submode where the MV is derived from one or more MVpredictors without the benefit of a coded MV component outside thepredictors. In certain other video coding technologies, a MV componentapplicable to the subject block may be present. In an example, the videoencoder (603) includes other components, such as a mode decision module(not shown) to determine the mode of the processing blocks.

In the FIG. 6 example, the video encoder (603) includes the interencoder (630), an intra encoder (622), a residue calculator (623), aswitch (626), a residue encoder (624), a general controller (621), andan entropy encoder (625) coupled together as shown in FIG. 6 .

The inter encoder (630) is configured to receive the samples of thecurrent block (e.g., a processing block), compare the block to one ormore reference blocks in reference pictures (e.g., blocks in previouspictures and later pictures), generate inter prediction information(e.g., description of redundant information according to inter encodingtechnique, MVs, merge mode information), and calculate inter predictionresults (e.g., prediction block) based on the inter predictioninformation using any suitable technique. In some examples, thereference pictures are decoded reference pictures that are decoded basedon the encoded video information.

The intra encoder (622) is configured to receive the samples of thecurrent block (e.g., a processing block), in some cases compare theblock to blocks already coded in the same picture, generate quantizedcoefficients after transform, and in some cases also intra predictioninformation (e.g., an intra prediction direction information accordingto one or more intra encoding techniques). In an example, the intraencoder (622) also calculates intra prediction results (e.g., predictionblock) based on the intra prediction information and reference blocks inthe same picture.

The general controller (621) is configured to determine general controldata and control other components of the video encoder (603) based onthe general control data. In an example, the general controller (621)determines the mode of the block, and provides a control signal to theswitch (626) based on the mode. For example, when the mode is the intramode, the general controller (621) controls the switch (626) to selectthe intra mode result for use by the residue calculator (623), andcontrols the entropy encoder (625) to select the intra predictioninformation and include the intra prediction information in thebitstream; and when the mode is the inter mode, the general controller(621) controls the switch (626) to select the inter prediction resultfor use by the residue calculator (623), and controls the entropyencoder (625) to select the inter prediction information and include theinter prediction information in the bitstream.

The residue calculator (623) is configured to calculate a difference(residue data) between the received block and prediction resultsselected from the intra encoder (622) or the inter encoder (630). Theresidue encoder (624) is configured to operate based on the residue datato encode the residue data to generate the transform coefficients. In anexample, the residue encoder (624) is configured to convert the residuedata from a spatial domain to a frequency domain, and generate thetransform coefficients. The transform coefficients are then subject toquantization processing to obtain quantized transform coefficients. Invarious embodiments, the video encoder (603) also includes a residuedecoder (628). The residue decoder (628) is configured to performinverse-transform, and generate the decoded residue data. The decodedresidue data can be suitably used by the intra encoder (622) and theinter encoder (630). For example, the inter encoder (630) can generatedecoded blocks based on the decoded residue data and inter predictioninformation, and the intra encoder (622) can generate decoded blocksbased on the decoded residue data and the intra prediction information.The decoded blocks are suitably processed to generate decoded picturesand the decoded pictures can be buffered in a memory circuit (not shown)and used as reference pictures in some examples.

The entropy encoder (625) is configured to format the bitstream toinclude the encoded block. The entropy encoder (625) is configured toinclude various information according to a suitable standard such asHEVC. In an example, the entropy encoder (625) is configured to includethe general control data, the selected prediction information (e.g.,intra prediction information or inter prediction information), theresidue information, and other suitable information in the bitstream.Note that, according to the disclosed subject matter, when coding ablock in the merge submode of either inter mode or bi-prediction mode,there is no residue information.

FIG. 7 shows a diagram of a video decoder (710) according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure. The video decoder (710) is configured toreceive coded pictures that are part of a coded video sequence, anddecode the coded pictures to generate reconstructed pictures. In anexample, the video decoder (710) is used in the place of the videodecoder (310) in the FIG. 3 example.

In the FIG. 7 example, the video decoder (710) includes an entropydecoder (771), an inter decoder (780), a residue decoder (773), areconstruction module (774), and an intra decoder (772) coupled togetheras shown in FIG. 7 .

The entropy decoder (771) can be configured to reconstruct, from thecoded picture, certain symbols that represent the syntax elements ofwhich the coded picture is made up. Such symbols can include, forexample, the mode in which a block is coded (such as, for example, intramode, inter mode, bi-predicted mode, the latter two in merge submode oranother submode), prediction information (such as, for example, intraprediction information or inter prediction information) that canidentify certain sample or metadata that is used for prediction by theintra decoder (772) or the inter decoder (780), respectively, residualinformation in the form of, for example, quantized transformcoefficients, and the like. In an example, when the prediction mode isinter or bi-predicted mode, the inter prediction information is providedto the inter decoder (780); and when the prediction type is the intraprediction type, the intra prediction information is provided to theintra decoder (772). The residual information can be subject to inversequantization and is provided to the residue decoder (773).

The inter decoder (780) is configured to receive the inter predictioninformation, and generate inter prediction results based on the interprediction information.

The intra decoder (772) is configured to receive the intra predictioninformation, and generate prediction results based on the intraprediction information.

The residue decoder (773) is configured to perform inverse quantizationto extract de-quantized transform coefficients, and process thede-quantized transform coefficients to convert the residual from thefrequency domain to the spatial domain. The residue decoder (773) mayalso require certain control information (to include the QuantizerParameter (QP)), and that information may be provided by the entropydecoder (771) (data path not depicted as this may be low volume controlinformation only).

The reconstruction module (774) is configured to combine, in the spatialdomain, the residual as output by the residue decoder (773) and theprediction results (as output by the inter or intra prediction modulesas the case may be) to form a reconstructed block, that may be part ofthe reconstructed picture, which in turn may be part of thereconstructed video. It is noted that other suitable operations, such asa deblocking operation and the like, can be performed to improve thevisual quality.

It is noted that the video encoders (303), (503), and (603), and thevideo decoders (310), (410), and (710) can be implemented using anysuitable technique. In an embodiment, the video encoders (303), (503),and (603), and the video decoders (310), (410), and (710) can beimplemented using one or more integrated circuits. In anotherembodiment, the video encoders (303), (503), and (603), and the videodecoders (310), (410), and (710) can be implemented using one or moreprocessors that execute software instructions.

II. Video Coding For Machine

Video or images can be consumed by human beings for variety of usagessuch as entertainment, education, and the like. Thus, video coding orimage coding often utilizes characteristics of the human visual systemfor a better compression efficiency while maintaining a good subjectivequality.

In recent years, with the rise of machine learning applications, alongwith being equipped with an abundance of sensors, many intelligentplatforms have utilized video or images for machine vision tasks such asobject detection, segmentation, or tracking. How to encode video orimages for consumption of the machine vision tasks can be an interestingand challenging problem. This has led to an introduction of video codingfor machines (VCM) studies. To achieve this goal, the internationalstandard group MPEG created an Ad-Hoc group, “Video coding for machine(VCM)” to standardize the related techniques for a betterinteroperability among difference devices.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary VCM architecture according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure. It is noted that an output of a video decoding module inFIG. 8 is mainly for machine consumption, i.e., machine vision. However,in some cases, the output of the video decoding module can also be usedfor human vision, as indicated in FIG. 8 . In addition, an interface forneural network (NN) module can be included in the exemplary VCMarchitecture.

A video coding for machine system, from a client (or a decoder) end, cantypically perform video decoding to obtain a video sequence in a sampledomain first. Then, one or more machine tasks can be performed tounderstand video content of the video sequence. In some cases, an outputof the one or more machine tasks can be labeling information of targetedobject(s), for example, in a form of rectangular bounding boxes insidethe decoded image or video sequence.

III. Versatile Video Coding

VVC was recently jointly developed by two international standardorganizations, i.e., ITU and ISO/IEC. One version of VVC was finalizedin July 2020 and is one of the state-of-the-art video coding standards.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary VVC encoder according to an embodiment of thedisclosure. The VVC encoder includes a transform and quantization (TR+Q)module, an entropy coding module, a motion estimation (ME) module, and adecoder. The decoder includes an inverse transform and inversequantization (iTR+iQ) module, an intra prediction module, an interprediction module, a combined prediction module, a deblocking filter(Deblk) module, a sample adaptive offset filter (SAO) module, anadaptive loop filter (ALF) module, and a buffer. The encoder receives acoding block (CB) of an input picture and outputs a coded bitstream anda reconstructed picture. Both the transform and quantization module andthe inverse transform and inverse quantization module process transformblocks (TB). Both the intra prediction module and the intra predictionmodule process PB. The combined prediction module combines interprediction and intra prediction.

For intra prediction, a variety of coding tools can be included, forexample, cross-component linear mode (CCLM), multiple reference lineprediction (MRLP), intra sub-partitioning (ISP), matrix based intraprediction (MIP), and/or the like.

For inter prediction, a set of coding tools can be included, forexample, affine motion model (AFFINE), subblock-based temporal mergingcandidates (SbTMC), adaptive motion vector resolution (AMVR), geometricpartition mode (GPM), combined intra/inter prediction (CIIP), merge modewith motion vector difference (MMVD), bi-predictive with CU weights(BCW), decoder motion vector refinement (DMVR), bi-directional opticalflow (BDOF), prediction refinement using optical flow (PROF), and/or thelike.

Other tools, such as transform, quantization, and in-loop filters can beincluded, for example, dependent quantization (DQ), multiple transformset (MTS), low frequency non-separable transform (LFNST), luma mappingand chroma scaling (LMCS), cross-component adaptive loop filter (CCALF),adaptive loop filter (ALF), sample adaptive offset filter (SAO),deblocking filter (Deblk), and/or the like.

In a video coding system, some useful information that is not necessaryfor correctly decoding the video bitstream, can be delivered, such as byone or more supplementary enhancement information (SEI) messages. Adecoder can, for example, disregard such information. Alternatively, thedecoder can decode the SEI messages for a usage after decoding the videosequence. In one example, in a virtual reality (VR) 360-degree videostreaming, an omni-directional video can be packed into 2-D traditionalvideo for compression and transmission. After decoding the 2-D video,the system may need to handle the packed 2-D video in serval processingsteps, before the video can be viewed in a 3-D format. For example,converting the packed 2-D video back to a spherical domain according tothe packing format such as equi-rectangular projection (ERP), cube-mapprojection (CMP), and the like), displaying the spherical signal with anassumed center view which contains the most relevant information of thevideo content. These steps are not related to correctly decoding thevideo itself but are useful for displaying the video content.Information such as the packing method (ERP, CMP, and the like), orinformation of a suggested viewing center of the 360-degree video, canbe sent via the SEI messages. By receiving the information, the VRclient system can handle the decoded video content more efficiently.

IV. Signaling of Labeling Information of Objects

In some related video coding standards, such as H.264, HEVC or therecently finalized VVC standards, an input video signal (or sequence) istreated as a waveform, without an understanding of a video contentmeaning, such as how many people or objects are in the video, how theymove around, and the like. On the other hand, machine vision tasks suchas object detection, segmentation, or tracking, can be designed tounderstand these types of information from the video sequence. Afterdecoding the video sequence, a client (or decoder) end can perform themachine tasks to obtain labeling information of targeted object(s) inthe image or video sequence.

Performing machine tasks at the client (or decoder) side can incur notonly a consumption of computation, but also a consumption of time toobtain the results of the machine tasks. In some systems, those costs(e.g., consumptions of computation and time) are not desirable.

This disclosure includes methods of sending detection or recognitioninformation, such as labeling results, to a client (or decoder) end. Itis noted that the methods included in this disclosure are not limited toVVC standards. The principles of the methods can also be applied toother video coding standards, such as H.264, HEVC, or AV1 which isdeveloped by Alliance for Open Media.

According to aspects of the disclosure, labeling information such as oneor more bounding boxes, classes, and/or indexes of objects for machinevision targets can be determined at an encoder side, rather than beingdetermined after decoding a coded video bitstream at a decoder side. Thedetermined labeling information can be coded and sent to the decoderand/or client side in various manners. After decoding the labelinginformation, the labeling results can be directly applied to the decodedimage or video sequence, without further performing the machine tasks tounderstand the video content. In an example, each of the one or morebounding boxes can be applied to a different target object in thedecoded image. In another example, a class and/or an index of eachtarget object can be displayed in the decoded image. In this way, themachine tasks can be performed independent of the resolution of thepicture(s).

In an embodiment, the encoder system can apply either a similar machinevision task module such as the module illustrated in FIG. 9 to acquirethe related labeling information or use a different one. For example, anoutput of the machine vision tasks can be in a form of a series ofbounding boxes for each picture. Each bounding box can be represented bylocation and size information of the respective bounding box.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the labeling information such asinformation of bounding boxes of objects in each picture can bedelivered by some side information messages in a coded video bitstream.For example, the labeling information can be sent through SEI messagesin the coded video bitstream. In another embodiment, the labelinginformation can also be provided separately, such as in a separate fileor a plug-in file associated with the coded video bitstream.

In some embodiments, the labeling information includes locationinformation of one or more bounding boxes in each picture. Variousreference points and/or size information can be used to indicate thelocation of the bounding boxes. In an embodiment, the locationinformation of a bounding box can include a top left position of thebounding box and a size of the bounding box.

Table 1 shows an exemplary syntax table that can be used for signalinglabeling information including location information of bounding boxes ina current picture.

TABLE 1 Descriptor bounding_boxes_sei( ) {  . . .  num_boxes u(N)  for(i = 0; i < num_boxes; i++ ) {   box_loc_x[i] u(16)   box_loc_y[i] u(16)  box_width[i] u(16)   box_height[i] u(16)  } }

In Table 1, the syntax element num_boxes indicates a total number of thebounding boxes inside the current picture. The syntax elementbox_loc_x[i] indicates a horizontal position of a top left corner of thei-th bounding box, relative to the top left corner of the currentpicture, in luma samples. The syntax element box_loc_y[i] indicates avertical position of the top left corner of the i-th bounding box,relative to the top left corner of the current picture, in luma samples.The syntax element box_width[i] indicates a width of the i-th boundingbox in luma samples. The syntax element box_height[i] indicates a heightof the i-th bounding box in luma samples.

Note that a representation of a bounding box may not be limited by theabove format (top left position+size). For example, a top-leftposition+a bottom-right position can also describe the bounding box.

Note also that a location of a bounding box can be represented by anyfixed position of the box. The top left corner is one example, and otherlocations may also be utilized. For example, a center position of abounding box and a width and a height of the bounding box can be used torepresent the bounding box.

In one embodiment, the labeling information can include categoryinformation of each object in a current picture. The categoryinformation indicates a category to which an object in a bounding boxbelongs. For example, a category can be a person, a car, a plane, and/orthe like. Table 2 shows an exemplary syntax table that can be used tosignal labeling information including location information of boundingboxes in a current picture and category information of objects in thecurrent picture.

TABLE 2 Descriptor bounding_boxes_sei( ) {  . . .  num_boxes u(N)  for(i = 0; i < num_boxes; i++ ) {    category_id u(8)   box_loc_x[i] u(6)  box_loc_y[i] u(16)   box_width[i] u(16)   box_height[i] u(16)  } }

In Table 2, the syntax element num_boxes indicates a total number of thebounding boxes inside the current picture. The syntax elementcategory_id indicates a category to which an object in the i-th boundingbelongs. The syntax element box_loc_x[i] indicates a horizontal positionof a top left corner of the i-th bounding box, relative to the top leftcorner of a current picture, in luma samples. The syntax elementbox_loc_y[i] indicates a vertical position of the top left corner of thei-th bounding box, relative to the top left corner of the currentpicture, in luma samples. The syntax element box_width[i] indicates awidth of the i-th bounding box in luma samples. The syntax elementbox_height[i] indicates a height of the i-th bounding box in lumasamples.

In one embodiment, besides the category information, the labelinginformation can include identification information of one or moreobjects in a current picture. In one example, the labeling informationcan include identification information for each object in a currentpicture. The identification information can be used to identify anobject in a video sequence. For example, in object tracking, theidentification information can be used to represent the same object inthe video sequence. Table 3 shows a syntax table used for signalinglabeling information including location information of bounding boxes ina current picture and category information and identificationinformation of objects in the current picture.

TABLE 3 Descriptor bounding_boxes_sei( ) {  . . .  num_boxes u(N)  for(i = 0; i < num_boxes; i++ ) {    category_id u(8)    Instance_id u(8)  box_loc_x[i] u(16)   box_loc_y[i] u(16)   box_width[i] u(16)  box_height[i] u(16)  } }

In Table 3, the syntax element num_boxes indicates a total number of thebounding boxes inside the current picture. The syntax elementcategory_id indicates a category to which an object in the i-th boundingbelongs. The syntax element instance_id denotes an identification numberfor the object in the i-th bounding. The syntax element box_loc_x[i]indicates a horizontal position of a top left corner of the i-thbounding box, relative to the top left corner of the current picture, inluma samples. The syntax element box_loc_y[i] indicates a verticalposition of the top left corner of the i-th bounding box, relative tothe top left corner of the current picture, in luma samples. The syntaxelement box_width[i] indicates a width of the i-th bounding box in lumasamples. The syntax element box_height[i] indicates a height of the i-thbounding box in luma samples.

In some machine vision tasks such as object tracking related tasks, eachobject may appear in different pictures. To facilitate the signaling ofthe same bounding box across different pictures, the same bounding boxid can be used to represent the same object. In a subsequent picture(s),an absolute position and a size of the bounding box can be signaled. Inanother embodiment, a relative change to its previous value in aprevious picture can be used instead. Table 4 shows an exemplary syntaxtable to can be used to signal the labeling information includinglocation offset information of bounding boxes in a current picture. InTable 4, a bounding box in the current picture is described by signalinga top left corner position and a bottom right corner position of thebounding box.

TABLE 4 Descriptor bounding_boxes_sei( ) {  . . .  num_boxes u(N)  for(i = 0; i < num_boxes; i++ ) {   sign_tl_x[i] u(1)   sign_tl_y[i] u(1)  sign_br_x[i] u(1)   sign_br_y[i] u(1)   delta_box_tl_loc_x[i] u(16)  delta_box_tl_loc_y[i] u(16)   delta_box_br_loc_x[i] u(16)  delta_box_br_loc_y[i] u(16)  } }

In Table 4, the syntax element num_boxes indicates a total number ofbounding boxes inside the current picture. The syntax elementsign_tl_x[i] indicates a sign of a horizontal top left corner positiondifference of the i-th bounding box relative to the same bounding box ina previous picture, in luma samples. The syntax element sign_tl_y[i]indicates a sign of a vertical top left corner position difference ofthe i-th bounding box relative to the same bounding box in the previouspicture, in luma samples. The syntax element sign_br_x[i] indicates asign of a horizontal bottom right corner position difference of the i-thbounding box relative to the same bounding box in the previous picture,in luma samples. The syntax element sign_br_y[i] indicates a sign of avertical bottom right corner position difference of the i-th boundingbox relative to the same bounding box in the previous picture, in lumasamples. The syntax element delta_box_tl_loc_x[i] indicates an absolutevalue of a horizontal top left corner position difference of the i-thbounding box relative to the same bounding box in the previous picture,in luma samples. The syntax element delta_box_tl_loc_y[i] indicates anabsolute value of a vertical top left corner position difference of thei-th bounding box relative to the same bounding box in the previouspicture, in luma samples. The syntax element delta_box_br_loc_x[i]indicates an absolute value of a horizontal bottom right corner positiondifference of the i-th bounding box relative to the same bounding box inthe previous picture, in luma samples. The syntax elementdelta_box_br_loc_y[i] indicates an absolute value of a vertical bottomright corner position difference of the i-th bounding box relative tothe same bounding box in the previous picture, in luma samples.

The syntax elements sign_tl_x[i], sign_tl_y[i], sign_br_x[i],sign_br_y[i] can be set equal to 0, when there is no previous pictureprior to the current picture. Alternatively, these syntax elements canbe conditionally signaled only when there is a previous picture relativeto the current picture in a decoding order or in a display order. Whennot signaled, these syntax elements can be inferred to be 0.

A variable PrevTopLeftBoxX[i] indicates the horizontal top left cornerposition of the i-th bounding box in the previous picture prior to thecurrent picture in the decoding order or the display order. A variableTopLeftBoxX[i] indicates the horizontal top left corner position of thei-th bounding box in the current picture.

TopLeftBoxX[i]=PrevTopLeftBoxX[i]+sign_tl_x[i] *delta_box_tl_loc_x[i].

A variable PrevTopLeftBoxY[i] indicates the vertical top left cornerposition of the i-th bounding box in the previous picture prior to thecurrent picture in the decoding order or the display order. A variableTopLeftBoxY[i] indicates the vertical top left corner position of thei-th bounding box in the current picture.

TopLeftBoxY[i]=PrevTopLeftBoxY[i]+sign_tl_y[i] *delta_box_tl_loc_y[i].

A variable PrevBotRightBoxX[i] indicates the horizontal bottom-rightcorner position of the i-th bounding box in the previous picture priorto the current picture in the decoding order or the display order. Avariable BotRightBoxX[i] indicates the horizontal bottom-right cornerposition of the i-th bounding box in the current picture.

BotRightBoxX[i]=PrevBotRightBoxX[i]+sign_br_x[i] *delta_box_br_loc_x[i].

A variable PrevBotRightBoxY[i] indicates the vertical bottom-rightcorner position of the i-th bounding box in the previous picture priorto the current picture in the decoding order or the display order. Avariable BotRightBoxY[i] indicates the vertical bottom-right cornerposition of the i-th bounding box in the current picture.

BotRightBoxY[i]=PrevBotRightBoxY[i]+sign_br_y[i] *delta_box_br_loc_y[i].

The variables PrevTopLeftBoxX[i], PrevTopLeftBoxY[i],PrevBotRightBoxX[i], PrevBotRightBoxY[i] can be initialized as 0 whenthere is no previous picture prior to the current picture.

The variables PrevTopLeftBoxX[i], PrevTopLeftBoxY[i],PrevBotRightBoxX[i], PrevBotRightBoxY[i] can be set equal toTopLeftBoxX[i], TopLeftBoxY[i], BotRightBoxX[i], BotRightBoxY [i],respectively, after a completion of decoding or displaying the currentpicture.

In an embodiment, a signaled syntax structure is similar to the abovesyntax tables, but a bounding box in a current picture can be describedby signaling its top left corner position plus its width and height. Inthis case, the delta values to be signaled can be the delta values ofthe top left corner position of the i-th bounding box, the delta valuesof the width and height of the i-th bounding box, and the respectivesign values.

In an embodiment, the category information (e.g., category_id) and/oridentification information (e.g., instance_id) of an object can beincluded in Table 4.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the top left and bottom rightpositions of a bounding box can be placed inside a current picture.However, in some cases, when an object no longer appears in the currentpicture, the bounding box should not be displayed in the current pictureanymore. In one embodiment, for the i-th bounding box not to be shown inthe current picture, a predetermined position value can be used, such asa position value outside the picture boundary. For example, if thepicture size is 1920×1080, the top left position and bottom rightpositions of the bounding box can be set as 2000 (larger than thepicture width and height) to indicate that the object does not exist inthe current picture and the bounding box of the object does not need tobe displayed.

According to aspects of the disclosure, other than being included inmetadata information (e.g., SEI messages) of a coded video bitstream,the labeling information can be included in a metadata file (e.g., aplug-in file) separated from the coded video bitstream. The labelinginformation can be regarded as the metadata information and delivered toa decoder and/or client side via a system layer approach, such asreal-time transport protocol (RTP), ISO base media format file, anddynamic adaptive streaming over hypertext transport protocol (DASH).

The client (or decoder) side, when needed, can request such informationfrom the system layer, to enable the labeling information in the decodedpicture(s).

In an embodiment, the client (or decoder) side can send a requestmessage to the encoder side to request the labeling information from thesystem layer.

In an embodiment, the client (or decoder) side can receive the labelinginformation from the encoder side without sending the request message.

In an embodiment, the client can send a request message to the decoderto enable the labeling information in the decoded picture(s).

In an embodiment, the decoder can enable the labeling information in thedecoder picture(s) without receiving the request message from theclient.

V. Flowchart

FIG. 10 shows a flow chart outlining an exemplary process (1000)according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In various embodiments,the process (1000) is executed by processing circuitry, such as theprocessing circuitry in the terminal devices (210), (220), (230) and(240), the processing circuitry that performs functions of the videoencoder (303), the processing circuitry that performs functions of thevideo decoder (310), the processing circuitry that performs functions ofthe video decoder (410), the processing circuitry that performsfunctions of the intra prediction module (452), the processing circuitrythat performs functions of the video encoder (503), the processingcircuitry that performs functions of the predictor (535), the processingcircuitry that performs functions of the intra encoder (622), theprocessing circuitry that performs functions of the intra decoder (772),and the like. In some embodiments, the process (1000) is implemented insoftware instructions, thus when the processing circuitry executes thesoftware instructions, the processing circuitry performs the process(1000).

The process (1000) may generally start at step (S1010), where theprocess (1000) receives metadata associated with a coded videobitstream. The metadata includes labeling information of one or moreobjects detected in a first picture that is coded in the coded videobitstream. Then, the process (1000) proceeds to step (S1020).

At step (S1020), the process (1000) decodes the labeling information ofthe one or more objects in the first picture that is coded in the codedvideo bitstream. Then, the process (1000) proceeds to step (S1030).

At step (S1030), the process (1000) applies the labeling information tothe one or more objects in the first picture. Then, the process (1000)terminates.

In an example, a bounding box can be applied to a detected object in thefirst picture. In another example, a category to which the detectedobject belongs can be displayed in the first picture. In anotherexample, an identification number of the detected object can bedisplayed in the first picture.

In one embodiment, the metadata is included in an SEI message in thecoded video bitstream.

In one embodiment, the metadata is included in a file that is separatefrom the coded video bitstream.

In one embodiment, the labeling information indicates a total number ofbounding boxes in the first picture and includes location informationand size information of each bounding box, each bounding box beingassociated with one of the one or more objects in the first picture.

In one embodiment, the labeling information includes categoryinformation that indicates a category for each of the one or moreobjects.

In one embodiment, the labeling information includes identificationinformation that identifies each of the one or more objects in a videosequence.

In one embodiment, the location information of one of the bounding boxesincludes a location offset of the one of the bounding boxes between thefirst picture and a second picture that is coded in the video bitstream.

In one embodiment, the location information of one of the bounding boxesindicates a location outside the first picture for the one of thebounding boxes based on an object associated with the one of thebounding boxes not existing in the first picture.

In one embodiment, the process (1000) sends a request to receive themetadata associated with the coded video bitstream.

VI. Computer System

The techniques described above, can be implemented as computer softwareusing computer-readable instructions and physically stored in one ormore computer-readable media. For example, FIG. 11 shows a computersystem (1100) suitable for implementing certain embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter.

The computer software can be coded using any suitable machine code orcomputer language, that may be subject to assembly, compilation,linking, or like mechanisms to create code comprising instructions thatcan be executed directly, or through interpretation, micro-codeexecution, and the like, by one or more computer central processingunits (CPUs), Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), and the like.

The instructions can be executed on various types of computers orcomponents thereof, including, for example, personal computers, tabletcomputers, servers, smartphones, gaming devices, internet of thingsdevices, and the like.

The components shown in FIG. 11 for computer system (1100) are exemplaryin nature and are not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scopeof use or functionality of the computer software implementingembodiments of the present disclosure. Neither should the configurationof components be interpreted as having any dependency or requirementrelating to any one or combination of components illustrated in theexemplary embodiment of a computer system (1100).

Computer system (1100) may include certain human interface inputdevices. Such a human interface input device may be responsive to inputby one or more human users through, for example, tactile input (such as:keystrokes, swipes, data glove movements), audio input (such as: voice,clapping), visual input (such as: gestures), olfactory input (notdepicted). The human interface devices can also be used to capturecertain media not necessarily directly related to conscious input by ahuman, such as audio (such as: speech, music, ambient sound), images(such as: scanned images, photographic images obtain from a still imagecamera), video (such as two-dimensional video, three-dimensional videoincluding stereoscopic video).

Input human interface devices may include one or more of (only one ofeach depicted): keyboard (1101), mouse (1102), trackpad (1103), touchscreen (1110), data-glove (not shown), joystick (1105), microphone(1106), scanner (1107), and camera (1108).

Computer system (1100) may also include certain human interface outputdevices. Such human interface output devices may be stimulating thesenses of one or more human users through, for example, tactile output,sound, light, and smell/taste. Such human interface output devices mayinclude tactile output devices (for example tactile feedback by thetouch-screen (1110), data-glove (not shown), or joystick (1105), butthere can also be tactile feedback devices that do not serve as inputdevices), audio output devices (such as: speakers (1109), headphones(not depicted)), visual output devices (such as screens (1110) toinclude CRT screens, LCD screens, plasma screens, OLED screens, eachwith or without touch-screen input capability, each with or withouttactile feedback capability—some of which may be capable to output twodimensional visual output or more than three dimensional output throughmeans such as stereographic output; virtual-reality glasses (notdepicted), holographic displays and smoke tanks (not depicted)), andprinters (not depicted). These visual output devices (such as screens(1110)) can be connected to a system bus (1148) through a graphicsadapter (1150).

Computer system (1100) can also include human accessible storage devicesand their associated media such as optical media including CD/DVD ROM/RW(1120) with CD/DVD or the like media (1121), thumb-drive (1122),removable hard drive or solid state drive (1123), legacy magnetic mediasuch as tape and floppy disc (not depicted), specialized ROM/ASIC/PLDbased devices such as security dongles (not depicted), and the like.

Those skilled in the art should also understand that term “computerreadable media” as used in connection with the presently disclosedsubject matter does not encompass transmission media, carrier waves, orother transitory signals.

Computer system (1100) can also include a network interface (1154) toone or more communication networks (1155). The one or more communicationnetworks (1155) can for example be wireless, wireline, optical. The oneor more communication networks (1155) can further be local, wide-area,metropolitan, vehicular and industrial, real-time, delay-tolerant, andso on. Examples of the one or more communication networks (1155) includelocal area networks such as Ethernet, wireless LANs, cellular networksto include GSM, 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE and the like, TV wireline or wirelesswide area digital networks to include cable TV, satellite TV, andterrestrial broadcast TV, vehicular and industrial to include CANBus,and so forth. Certain networks commonly require external networkinterface adapters that attached to certain general purpose data portsor peripheral buses (1149) (such as, for example USB ports of thecomputer system (1100)); others are commonly integrated into the core ofthe computer system (1100) by attachment to a system bus as describedbelow (for example Ethernet interface into a PC computer system orcellular network interface into a smartphone computer system). Using anyof these networks, computer system (1100) can communicate with otherentities. Such communication can be uni-directional, receive only (forexample, broadcast TV), uni-directional send-only (for example CANbus tocertain CANbus devices), or bi-directional, for example to othercomputer systems using local or wide area digital networks. Certainprotocols and protocol stacks can be used on each of those networks andnetwork interfaces as described above.

Aforementioned human interface devices, human-accessible storagedevices, and network interfaces can be attached to a core (1140) of thecomputer system (1100).

The core (1140) can include one or more Central Processing Units (CPU)(1141), Graphics Processing Units (GPU) (1142), specialized programmableprocessing units in the form of Field Programmable Gate Areas (FPGA)(1143), hardware accelerators for certain tasks (1144), graphicsadapters (1150), and so forth. These devices, along with Read-onlymemory (ROM) (1145), Random-access memory (1146), internal mass storage(1147) such as internal non-user accessible hard drives, SSDs, and thelike, may be connected through the system bus (1148). In some computersystems, the system bus (1148) can be accessible in the form of one ormore physical plugs to enable extensions by additional CPUs, GPU, andthe like. The peripheral devices can be attached either directly to thecore's system bus (1148), or through a peripheral bus (1149). In anexample, the screen (1110) can be connected to the graphics adapter(1150). Architectures for a peripheral bus include PCI, USB, and thelike.

CPUs (1141), GPUs (1142), FPGAs (1143), and accelerators (1144) canexecute certain instructions that, in combination, can make up theaforementioned computer code. That computer code can be stored in ROM(1145) or RAM (1146). Transitional data can be also be stored in RAM(1146), whereas permanent data can be stored for example, in theinternal mass storage (1147). Fast storage and retrieve to any of thememory devices can be enabled through the use of cache memory, that canbe closely associated with one or more CPU (1141), GPU (1142), massstorage (1147), ROM (1145), RAM (1146), and the like.

The computer readable media can have computer code thereon forperforming various computer-implemented operations. The media andcomputer code can be those specially designed and constructed for thepurposes of the present disclosure, or they can be of the kind wellknown and available to those having skill in the computer software arts.

As an example and not by way of limitation, the computer system havingarchitecture (1100), and specifically the core (1140) can providefunctionality as a result of processor(s) (including CPUs, GPUs, FPGA,accelerators, and the like) executing software embodied in one or moretangible, computer-readable media. Such computer-readable media can bemedia associated with user-accessible mass storage as introduced above,as well as certain storage of the core (1140) that are of non-transitorynature, such as core-internal mass storage (1147) or ROM (1145). Thesoftware implementing various embodiments of the present disclosure canbe stored in such devices and executed by core (1140). Acomputer-readable medium can include one or more memory devices orchips, according to particular needs. The software can cause the core(1140) and specifically the processors therein (including CPU, GPU,FPGA, and the like) to execute particular processes or particular partsof particular processes described herein, including defining datastructures stored in RAM (1146) and modifying such data structuresaccording to the processes defined by the software. In addition or as analternative, the computer system can provide functionality as a resultof logic hardwired or otherwise embodied in a circuit (for example:accelerator (1144)), which can operate in place of or together withsoftware to execute particular processes or particular parts ofparticular processes described herein. Reference to software canencompass logic, and vice versa, where appropriate. Reference to acomputer-readable media can encompass a circuit (such as an integratedcircuit (IC)) storing software for execution, a circuit embodying logicfor execution, or both, where appropriate. The present disclosureencompasses any suitable combination of hardware and software.

While this disclosure has described several exemplary embodiments, thereare alterations, permutations, and various substitute equivalents, whichfall within the scope of the disclosure. It will thus be appreciatedthat those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systemsand methods which, although not explicitly shown or described herein,embody the principles of the disclosure and are thus within the spiritand scope thereof.

APPENDIX A: ACRONYMS

-   -   ALF: Adaptive Loop Filter    -   AMVP: Advanced Motion Vector Prediction    -   APS: Adaptation Parameter Set    -   ASIC: Application-Specific Integrated Circuit    -   ATMVP: Alternative/Advanced Temporal Motion Vector Prediction    -   AV1: AOMedia Video 1    -   AV2: AOMedia Video 2    -   BMS: Benchmark Set    -   BV: Block Vector    -   CANB us: Controller Area Network Bus    -   CB: Coding Block    -   CC-ALF: Cross-Component Adaptive Loop Filter    -   CD: Compact Disc    -   CDEF: Constrained Directional Enhancement Filter    -   CPR: Current Picture Referencing    -   CPU: Central Processing Unit    -   CRT: Cathode Ray Tube    -   CTB: Coding Tree Block    -   CTU: Coding Tree Unit    -   CU: Coding Unit    -   DPB: Decoder Picture Buffer    -   DPCM: Differential Pulse-Code Modulation    -   DPS: Decoding Parameter Set    -   DVD: Digital Video Disc    -   FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Area    -   JCCR: Joint CbCr Residual Coding    -   JVET: Joint Video Exploration Team    -   GOP: Groups of Pictures    -   GPU: Graphics Processing Unit    -   GSM: Global System for Mobile communications    -   HDR: High Dynamic Range    -   HEVC: High Efficiency Video Coding    -   HRD: Hypothetical Reference Decoder    -   IBC: Intra Block Copy    -   IC: Integrated Circuit    -   ISP: Intra Sub-Partitions    -   JEM: Joint Exploration Model    -   LAN: Local Area Network    -   LCD: Liquid-Crystal Display    -   LR: Loop Restoration Filter    -   LRU: Loop Restoration Unit    -   LTE: Long-Term Evolution    -   MPM: Most Probable Mode    -   MV: Motion Vector    -   OLED: Organic Light-Emitting Diode    -   PBs: Prediction Blocks    -   PCI: Peripheral Component Interconnect    -   PDPC: Position Dependent Prediction Combination    -   PLD: Programmable Logic Device    -   PPS: Picture Parameter Set    -   PU: Prediction Unit    -   RAM: Random Access Memory    -   ROM: Read-Only Memory    -   SAO: Sample Adaptive Offset    -   SCC: Screen Content Coding    -   SDR: Standard Dynamic Range    -   SEI: Supplementary Enhancement Information    -   SNR: Signal Noise Ratio    -   SPS: Sequence Parameter Set    -   SSD: Solid-state Drive    -   TU: Transform Unit    -   USB: Universal Serial Bus    -   VPS: Video Parameter Set    -   VUI: Video Usability Information    -   VVC: Versatile Video Coding    -   WAIP: Wide-Angle Intra Prediction

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of video coding at a decoder,comprising: receiving metadata associated with a coded video bitstream,the metadata including labeling information of one or more objectsdetected in a first picture that is coded in the coded video bitstream;decoding the labeling information of the one or more objects in thefirst picture that is coded in the coded video bitstream; and applyingthe labeling information to the one or more objects in the firstpicture.